Can't decide on a bag

I have two backpacks in my possession. The orange one is rather large - too large, I think. I know that one of my strengths/weaknesses is that I can fill any piece of luggage to the max. Great for international flights; not so great for 4 weeks across Spain.

The pink one is a bit small - likely too small. A huge part of me would like to think that I'll just fill it to the max (per my strength/weakness) and make due with those exact items. It would help in eliminating unnecessary goods, which all the guidebooks say are far too easy to bring along. My biggest concern is that this bag was purchased at the local, cheap grocery store. Will it hold up?

Are there any experienced hikers out there with a valid opinion?

Tickets are bought!

I have my dates! June 18 - July 15. This is happening!!! One month from tomorrow, too.

Books on the Camino

I am by no means an expert, nor have I read any exhaustive list on the Camino, but here are four books I have perused so far and my initial thoughts on them.

1. Practical Tips for Walking "The Way" by Elinor Lebaron
This was a very short, quick read. It was the first book I picked up on the Camino, and while I have since read many blogs and pamphlets and other things that include tons of excellent practical tips and lists, this was my first. Therefore, I found it extremely interesting, truly soaking in all her wisdom. Her topics range from budget to packing (including what not to take) to gear to getting started to maps to routes to meals to albergues, ... you get the idea. I also really liked that her book included so many fabulous pictures.

2. Road of Reflection - El Camino de Santiago by Rachel Stainer
The title is an accurate representation of the purpose of this book. It was completely different from the previous one since it included hardly any practical tips. Of course you glean some insight from the author's experiences (e.g. I will triple check my alarm every night), but her focus is on the lessons she learned on perseverance, on community, on enjoying those special encounters with God. I enjoyed following her as she ran into the same people over the course of her journey and found friends to finish with. It was based on her book that I grew the desire to continue on to the coast after reaching Santiago.

3. A Village to Village Guide to Hiking the Camino de Santiago by Anna Dintaman and David Landis
This is most assuredly the book I'll be dragging along with me. While it does contain practical tips and beautiful pictures, its value is in the detailed descriptions on every single village of the Camino Frances from St. Jean Pied-de-Port to Santiago and beyond to the coast. Alternate routes are described. Tips are given on which hostels to stay at, what to avoid, which sights are most worth my time, when to be sure to tank up on water, commodities as well as number of beds at each albergue, exact kilometer and elevation charts - don't even get me started on the excellent maps!

4. Spiritual and Walking Guide: Leon to Santiago by Stacey Wittig
I have only just begun this one. It was written by a relative of a friend, and I'm excited to return to one that aims to blend the spiritual with the practical. For me, this journey is after all largely about the one-on-one time I'll get with God.

That's it. If I come across any other stellar ones, I'll let you know.

Cold Hike with a Friend

The Camino has been on my mind again in full force this week - probably because I booked my flight home from Santiago, interviewed a couple who walked part of it over Easter break, and may have found a walking buddy in my friend, Karen. Here's a little video we made yesterday on our walk to a local castle and back. It got a little frigid. :-)